Three men were camped out on a cold night in the outback. One of the men told another to put a log on the fire, it
was getting low and it was very cold. So, this man turned and grabbed a
log, which was awfully light to the touch, for it was hollow. As he
went to drop it into the fire, he noticed the entire length was covered
with termites. He did not know what to do, for he could not throw the
branch into the fire, because it would kill the termites, and his
friends were telling him to do so because it was so cold. So, he
carefully removed all the termites from the outside of the log by
scooping them into his hand, and he deposited them inside the hollow
branch.

Then he raised the branch to his lips and blew the termites into
the air.

The termites blown into the air became the stars, and the
first didgeridoo was created.

What is a Didgeridoo?

The
didgeridoo is believed to be the worlds oldest wind instrument, dating
back thousands of years. The didgeridoo originates as a musical instrument of the
North Australian Aborigine. The didgeridoo is traditionally played
accompanied with clap sticks
and/or the clapping together of boomerangs in Corroborees (ceremonial
dances). A didgeridoo is traditionally made from one of many species of
eucalyptus branches or saplings. The eucalyptus is naturally hollowed
out by termites whose nests abound in the millions in Australia. It
takes at least a year for the termites to hollow a tree out. Harvesting
the didgeridoo has to be timed so that the wall thickness of the instrument is not too
thin or not too thick. It has to be "just right". Making for the perfect
instrument! The varying length of the wood that is sawed off and its
thickness and shape will determine which key the didgeridoo will be in.
Shorter lengths yield higher pitches where as longer lengths yield lower
pitches. Didgeridoos generally range in keys from a high "G" to a low
"A". A common "C" didgeridoo will be two steps below middle "C" of a
piano. The keys of C, D and E are the easiest keys to learn how to play
on the didgeridoo.

Can anyone play a Didgeridoo?

Sure!
Anyone who wants an easy to play intuitive percussion instrument can
play a didgeridoo. You don't need a musical background to enjoy it. The technique
of how to play the didgeridoo is unique among wood instruments.

How is the Tone Created on a Didgeridoo?

You blow down the didgeridoo with loose lips creating a vibration that echoes
down the tube and comes out amplified as a drone. Similar to a tuba but
even looser and more relaxed. It is important to stay relaxed, trying
too hard will tighten your muscles which contradicts the need to create
loose lips and face. Buzz your lips while gently pushing air down the didgeridoo.

Circular Breathing on the Didgeridoo

The toughest
part of didgeridoo playing is learning to circular breathe. Circular
breathing allows a player to be able to continually blow air down the
didgeridoo without ever stopping for breath. While circular breathing is
great to know it is NOT a requirement to be able to play and enjoy this
instrument. You can build breathing into rhythms you create when you
snatch air between beats. It is best to master the other techniques of
playing first and learn circular breathing last. Circular breathing is
what allows players to perform continuously without stopping for breath.
Many great wind instrument players such as Miles Davis and Kenny G use
circular breathing. Practice exercise: fill
your mouth with water and push a stream of water out using only your
tongue and cheek muscles. Make sure not to use any pressure from the
lungs to help. Stay relaxed and breathe in and out with your nose while
making the stream. Keep trying until it feels very comfortable. This is a
good exercise to do in the shower!

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Didgeridoo, sleep apnea, snoring? How does playing the didgeridoo help?

Researchers in Switzerland examined 25 patients who suffered from
snoring and moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, both common
sleep disorders. Half the group were given daily 15 to 30 minute lessons
in playing the didgeridoo. The study, published in the British Medical
Journal's online edition found that those who played didgeridoo over a
four-month trial period saw a significant improvement in their daytime
sleepiness and apnea. Their partners also reported less disturbance from
snoring. Training the upper airways through the breathing techniques
required to play the didgeridoo was behind the improvement.

How long each day do I need to play the didgeridoo to help with sleep apnea and snoring?